The Project’s Sam Taunton shocks with cruel criticism of co-host Sarah Harris
Sam Taunton made a vicious attack on co-host Sarah Harris during Thursday’s episode of The Project.
The 30-year-old prankster left Harris grimacing and at a loss for words when he compared the veteran journalist, 42, to a cougar.
A cougar is defined as an older woman who enjoys seeking sexual relations with a younger man.
Sam took his off-color dig at Sarah, who is happily married with two children, when he introduced an American news story.
“And now to Minneapolis, where a mountain lion is roaming the suburbs,” Sam began, before adding, “Sarah, you didn’t tell me you were in Minneapolis.”
Sam Taunton made a vicious attack on co-host Sarah Harris during Thursday’s episode of The Project. Pictured: Taunton
The 30-year-old prankster left Harris grimacing and at a loss for words when he compared the veteran journalist, 42, to a cougar. Pictured: Sarah Harris
Sarah appeared to be shocked by the cruel dig, before laughing nervously about it.
Taunton’s tasteless, sexist comment comes after Sarah opened up about her role in The Project amid terrible ratings.
The popular star made the move from Studio 10 mornings to The Project in early 2023, replacing former co-host Carrie Bickmore.
Speaking to Stellar magazine in October, Sarah said the transition has been challenging, especially flying to Melbourne for the show while living in Sydney.
“I’m challenged by the work I do and that’s a nice place to be because I think sometimes you feel like you’re on autopilot a bit when you’ve been in a job for a long time. ‘
Taunton’s tasteless, sexist comment comes after Sarah opened up about her role in The Project amid terrible ratings. Also pictured: Hamish Macdonald, second from left
It comes after Channel 10 suffered the worst year in its ratings history as viewers abandoned its once flagship programs in droves.
Industry blogging website TV Blackbox reported Tuesday that this year the network endured the worst year ever in OzTam history since the ratings system began in 2001.
Viewers have gradually moved away from once-popular shows such as The Project, MasterChef Australia, The Masked Singer Australia and Gogglebox.
The bad news means the beleaguered network is now the fourth most popular channel in Australia, well behind Seven, Nine and ABC.
It is struggling at both national and metropolitan levels and currently has a commercial share of 21.2% nationally, behind the double lead of Seven at 42.1% and Nine at 37%.
An insider told TV Blackbox that part of the problem is that the network continually struggles to retain viewers.
‘Ten has no returning fans. If so, why do The Project, MasterChef, HYBPA, Gogglebox, The Masked Singer and many more lag behind year after year?
Sarah moved from Studio 10 in the mornings to The Project in early 2023, replacing former co-host Carrie Bickmore